Chapter 025: The Man
Zhou Chiye could almost predict exactly what his mother would say.
She would first scold him harshly, then feel heartache for him, and finally hold him in her arms, agreeing to all his demands.
When that time came, he would make his mother pay a hefty price!
He wanted to bring Bai Yuning openly back to the Houfu, he wanted to marry Bai Yuning! He wanted Bai Yuning to stand upright within the Houfu, no longer bullied by anyone.
Zhou Chiye had planned everything for the future perfectly, as if he could already see that beautiful scene, and even the wounds on his body didn’t hurt as much anymore.
But at this moment, his mother, standing before him, finally spoke.
He thought his mother would say something caring, but unexpectedly, she just stood coldly in front of him, tossed out the words, “If that’s the case, then you can die here,” and then left without looking back.
The Pearl Shoes stepped over the threshold, the gorgeous skirt brushing past the wooden door—his mother had actually left!
Zhou Chiye stared in shock at Qin Chanyue’s retreating figure, unable to believe that his mother would abandon him and leave!
His wounds were still bleeding! Wasn’t his mother afraid he was in pain?
Zhou Chiye stood rooted to the spot, staring as his mother left, seemingly unable to accept it.
Long after Qin Chanyue had gone, he remained standing inside the room, his eyes wide open, still watching.
How could this be? How could his mother really not care about him?
He couldn’t believe it!
He stared incredulously at the doorway, thinking, Mother will definitely come back, she definitely will!
While Zhou Chiye was breathing rapidly and staring fixedly at the doorway, the Doctor, who was still kneeling nearby, trembled and raised his head, saying, “S-second young master, your wounds need bandaging. It’s been delayed for too long. If it’s delayed any further, your arm will be useless in the future!”
For an ordinary person, losing the use of one hand would be a calamity falling from the sky, let alone for someone like Zhou Chiye, the descendant of a military family.
He was someone destined to go to the battlefield and kill enemies. When he grew old enough, he should take up the mantle of Zhennan Wang, remain in Nanjiang, continue the glory of the Qin family, support and assist his father and brothers, protect Dachen, and become one of Dachen’s two pillars. How could he be cut down before he even fully matured?
But Zhou Chiye couldn’t listen.
He suddenly felt “abandoned.” He could give up on himself, he could act recklessly, but his mother couldn’t ignore him—how could his mother ignore him?
A pampered and beloved son could not accept the outcome of his mother suddenly no longer loving him, just as Fang Qingqing could not accept Zhou Ziheng suddenly being able to sleep with other women. The word “love,” at certain times, follows similar paths and differs only slightly.
“I won’t be treated! Get out!” The irritable second young master roared, lifting his leg to kick, but because he was tightly bound by chains, he could only kick at the air.
The kneeling Doctor nearby was so frightened that he grabbed his medicine box and fled without daring to look back.
For a moment, the side chamber of Jianming Courtyard was empty. Zhou Chiye sat inside, experiencing the taste of “being abandoned by all” for the first time.
He did not know how many times Qin Chanyue had tasted this feeling in her previous life.
—
After leaving Jianming Courtyard, Qin Chanyue saw Nanny Zhao waiting at the courtyard gate from afar.
At the courtyard entrance grew an enormous Chunzhang tree, its dense foliage casting patches of green shade. Nanny Zhao stood among them, speckles of light filtering through the leaves and illuminating her brown silk garments until they shimmered. Perhaps growing impatient from waiting, she was wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. Upon seeing Qin Chanyue emerge, she hurried forward.
To prevent Nanny Zhao from immediately asking about Jianming Courtyard, Chanyue preemptively inquired, “Where is Bai Yuning?”
Zhou Chiye had been brought back. Given Zhou Yuanting’s vengeful, underhanded nature, he would surely deal with Bai Yuning as well.
Caught off guard by the question, Nanny Zhao quickly shook her head. “This old servant hasn’t looked into it.”
Matters outside the Houfu were always handled by Nanny Li, while Nanny Zhao busied herself within the estate’s limited confines. She truly had no knowledge of external affairs.
“Then go investigate now,” Chanyue said coldly. “Find out Bai Yuning’s whereabouts.”
Bai Yuning had the Second Prince backing her—Chanyue had to stay vigilant.
Nanny Zhao hastily complied and hurried away.
Chanyue continued walking back. Before reaching Shangyue Garden, she slowed her steps and asked a nearby maid, “Where is the Marquis?”
If that troublesome man was still in Shangyue Garden, she would seek refuge at Fota to avoid him.
“Replying to Madam,” the little maid answered dutifully, “the Marquis left Jianming Courtyard looking quite angry and didn’t linger. He went to Aunt Xia’s Chixia Garden to unwind instead.”
She added, “Aunt Xia has been quite favored recently.”
A trace of mockery flickered in Chanyue’s brows.
These men seemed forever bound by lust. With his own son nearly dying in his room, Zhou Ziheng had just finished venting his grief and anger, only to immediately seek solace with a woman—never willing to suffer even a little.
As for Aunt Xia, her favor was hardly surprising.
Aunt Xia was different from Concubine Fang. Concubine Fang had been an outside concubine, never taught proper etiquette. Since being brought into the Houfu, she hadn’t even observed morning and evening greetings—partly due to Chanyue’s deliberate indulgence, and partly because Concubine Fang simply didn’t know better. Moreover, relying on her status as the Marquis’s “true love,” she remained unrestrained after entering the estate. With a little provocation, her fall from grace was inevitable.
In contrast, Aunt Xia had served as a maid in the Houfu for several years, knowing from a young age how to attend to others. Fresh and tender, she naturally won the Marquis’s affection.
No one remained sixteen forever, but there would always be someone in their prime. If men forgot past kindness and affection, choosing solely based on beauty, those of advancing years could never compete with the young.
Hearing this, Chanyue faintly curved her lips. “Good, as long as the Marquis is pleased. Later, go to the Small Kitchen and send a bowl of soup to the Marquis. Today, remind him again about petitioning for the Shizi title.”
She truly couldn’t bear to see Zhou Ziheng live comfortably—she had to sharpen this life-threatening blade and press it forward a little more.
The maid bowed in acknowledgment and retreated.
Chanyue then passed through the Houfu and returned to her Shangyue Garden.
Shangyue Garden was complete with pavilions and towers. In her leisure time, Chanyue loved to place a Guifei Couch beneath the eaves, quietly listening to the summer breeze passing by and the gentle chimes of the Jade Wind Chimes hanging below.
Today, Shangyue Garden was exceptionally quiet, with only her as the master present. Qin Chanyue turned over on the Guifei Couch, half-asleep and half-awake, when she suddenly remembered the male favorite Liu Yandai had found for her.
Memories of that night flooded her mind—most of it had faded, but she still recalled the intoxicating pleasure that left her heart itching with desire.
Once one has tasted something exquisite, it’s hard to resist the craving. After pondering for a moment, Qin Chanyue thought to herself that in a few days, once she had taken care of the important matters at hand, she would have Liu Yandai send that male favorite back to her, so she could lavish him with affection.
Lost in thought, Qin Chanyue turned over again and continued to admire the beautiful garden scenery.
Occasionally, a maid would offer her a piece of Golden Thread Preserved Fruit, which she placed under her tongue, savoring the sweet flavor as it spread across her palate.
The eaves provided shade, and ice vats were placed in the corners, keeping the temperature pleasant. Sunlight filtered through the distant rooftops, illuminating the lush greenery of the garden in a radiant glow. A cool summer breeze swept through, rustling the verdant leaves and casting shimmering reflections across the garden. The occasional chirping of insects and croaking of frogs from among the flowers created an illusion of serene, peaceful days.
Everything was proceeding according to plan for Qin Chanyue, and all seemed to be going smoothly. However, elsewhere in the Houfu, chaos reigned.
——
Zhongyi Hou Mansion, Maple Courtyard.
This was Zhou Wenshan’s courtyard.
Hongfeng Courtyard was located in the western part of the Houfu, filled with vast stretches of maple trees. In autumn, the eaves would be hidden among the maple groves, the leaves redder than spring flowers, as if sitting in a fairyland of breathtaking beauty—hence the name Hongfeng Courtyard.
It was now mid-morning in summer, and the maple leaves had yet to turn red, remaining a vibrant green. Amid the dense branches, chirping birds flitted by. A canal had been dug from Lotus Lake, channeling flowing water into the courtyard. A stream about ten feet wide and five feet deep meandered gently through the grounds, its babbling waters shimmering with the graceful movements of Red Koi and White Koi, creating a lively and enchanting scene.
As noon approached, the warm sunlight cast a sparkling glow over the stream. The summer trees were lush, the day bright, with delicate branches and blossoms bathed in the rosy hues of dawn—a scene of tranquil beauty.
Yet, such splendid scenery went unappreciated.
In fact, even Hongfeng Courtyard itself was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere these days.
Some time ago, it had become clear that Third Young Master Zhou Wenshan’s injuries were beyond any hope of a complete cure. Even the finest doctors could do nothing more, so he was moved out of Qiufeng Hall and returned to his own courtyard.
Since becoming disabled, Third Young Master Zhou Wenshan had been deeply despondent, even attempting suicide several times. Each time he caused a scene, Concubine Fang would join in, often with mother and son making a fuss together. With their masters in such a state, the maids and servants below had no choice but to grit their teeth and serve them. The mother and son were exhausted, but the servants beneath them were even more so. Many of the maids couldn’t help but feel regret.
When Concubine Fang first entered the Houfu, they had all thought she was someone extraordinary! They had rushed to curry favor with her, hoping that when her influence grew, they might get a share of the benefits. Who could have imagined that in just a few short days, the foundation Concubine Fang had built would collapse, leaving all these servants to suffer alongside her.
What kind of life was this!
Just as these maids were lamenting their misfortune, another major incident occurred in Hongfeng Courtyard.
It was considered a major incident… but it was one that left them with little energy to deal with.
It was Zhou Wenshan attempting suicide again. Unable to move, he couldn’t hang himself or jump off a cliff, so he swallowed a gold hairpin, only to be discovered by Concubine Fang, who had just entered the side chamber. She forcibly dug it out with her hands.
This was already Zhou Wenshan’s sixth suicide attempt in recent times. During the first two incidents, the maids and servants could still find ways to persuade or coax him, but now, after all the commotion, these servants had lost the energy to intervene. They could only stand woodenly, heads bowed, watching him wail in despair.
Zhou Wenshan truly felt that life was meaningless and had no desire to live at all, but each time, Concubine Fang stopped him.
During this gold-swallowing incident, Zhou Wenshan had almost succeeded in swallowing it! Seeing his attempt thwarted, he lay on the bed with bloodshot eyes, cursing Concubine Fang vehemently: “It’s all your fault! It’s all because you insisted on coming to this Houfu, this wretched place! It’s all because you wanted to seize the Shizi position! We are nothing but two lowly lives—what right do we have to compete with Qin Chanyue for the Shizi position? You don’t know your place! It’s all your fault I ended up like this! Let me die, just let me die!”
He would rather have remained an outside son who could walk and move freely his whole life than lie here as the Third Young Master of the Houfu. Behind that immense wealth lay one trap after another. He didn’t have the fate for it; he couldn’t climb that high.
Concubine Fang clutched the freshly dug-out gold hairpin and broke down in tears, repeating the same phrase over and over: “Mother did it for your own good.”
Mother did it for your own good.
After this ordeal, Zhou Wenshan closed his eyes, unwilling to utter another word. Concubine Fang, exhausted, stood up and prepared to personally brew medicine for Zhou Wanshan.
Ever since she learned that her son had been framed, she had grown wary of everyone in the Houfu. Her son’s medicine had to be brewed by her own hands. If anyone else touched it, she would suspect they had poisoned it, intending to harm her precious son.
Her son, the apple of her eye—how could she bear to let Zhou Wenshan die?
Even if it meant living in pain, living humbly, like an ant—it was still living.
Her back hunched, she suddenly seemed to have aged over a decade, her beauty faded, with none of her former gentleness and charm remaining. As she made her way to the Small Kitchen, her pearl shoes dragged along the ground, leaving a long, trailing sound. She looked like someone already dead, with only a lonely soul lingering within the shell, forcing itself to sustain this lingering corpse wandering the mortal world.
When she reached the Small Kitchen and began brewing the medicine, she overheard two old women gossiping about the affairs of the household while munching on fruits by the back door of the kitchen.
They were facing away from the door and didn’t notice the figure approaching the kitchen entrance.
The fruits crunched loudly as they chewed, and they sucked the juice, savoring the sweet fragrance.
Listening to the sound, Concubine Fang felt as if they weren’t chewing fruits but her entire life.
“I heard that today, Madam urged the Marquis to petition for the Eldest Young Master’s title. The Marquis plans to submit the request tomorrow when he attends court.”
“The Shizi position has gone back and forth, but it’s finally landed in the Eldest Young Master’s hands. As for the one in Hongfeng Courtyard… tsk.”
“Ambitions as high as the sky, but a fate as thin as paper.”
“Both of them are delusional, truly thinking they could manipulate the Houfu?”
“Have you heard? Before Aunt Xia was promoted to concubine, she was slapped twice by that Concubine Fang. Who knows if she’ll make Concubine Fang pay for it later.”
“That Concubine Fang is already so old, tsk. And she’s lost the Marquis’s favor. She’ll have a hard time ahead.”
“I really don’t know what the Marquis sees in Fang Qingqing. Tell me, she’s not particularly good-looking, she’s already this old, and her character isn’t great either—spending all day suspecting Madam of plotting against her. How could that be? If Madam really wanted to do something to her, she’d have been dead long ago! Everyone knows our Madam is the Junzhu raised by the Empress Dowager herself!”
“That Concubine Fang deserves it! Insisting on fighting for the Shizi position—look what happened, she ended up turning her own son into a cripple! I say, this is retribution. Instead of being a proper young lady, she had to go and become someone’s outside concubine. This calamity was destined for her.”
“In the future, when the Eldest Young Master takes the Shiziye position, he definitely won’t leave any way out for the Third Young Master. He might even send that mother and son pair directly to the countryside estate and lock them up for life.”
The two nannies were gossiping happily when suddenly they heard a shriek erupt behind them. Both startled, they turned to look and saw Concubine Fang actually picking up the medicine pot and swinging it at their heads!
“Wretches! Wretches!” Concubine Fang could utter no more words. Consumed by such hatred, she could only scream these two words shrilly, frightening the two into kneeling and kowtowing. Though struck multiple times on the head, they dared not dodge, only hurriedly knelt and kowtowed.
No matter how fallen Concubine Fang might be, she could still punish two nannies. As for them, gossiping about their masters behind their backs could mean having their monthly allowance deducted! Worse still, they could be expelled from the Houfu!
These wealthy families particularly detest servants gossiping and spreading rumors, airing the household’s dirty laundry outside.
Thinking this, the two nannies were terrified into begging for mercy repeatedly.
Getting into the Houfu isn’t easy—they provide daily meals, new clothes, and even rewards when the masters are pleased. Returning to the countryside with such experience brings prestige; they can boast about serving royalty and nobility. Where would they find better work if they left the Houfu?
Concubine Fang eventually tired from hitting them. With a wave of her hand, she shouted “Get out!” and the two nannies scrambled out of the kitchen on hands and knees.
The Small Kitchen was left with only Concubine Fang.
Her knees gave way, her hands loosened, and she collapsed to the floor. The medicine pot fell from her grasp and shattered on the ground. Amidst the piercing sound of pottery breaking and scattering, Concubine Fang sat dazedly amidst the wreckage.
It was nearly noon. Bright sunlight streamed through the Small Kitchen’s gauze window, illuminating swirling dust particles in the air. Everyone basked in the sunlight—only she was the one who deserved to die.
Her son was crippled. Her husband now doted on another. She had nothing left. No, it wasn’t just having nothing—she was also despised by her own son and loathed by her husband.
Her husband… the husband who once claimed to love her so much had suddenly changed faces within just a few days. Not only did he no longer love or respect her, but he had even fallen for someone else.
She collapsed, she raged, she threw tantrums and rolled on the ground, but it was all useless. Zhou Ziheng had not come to see her or their son for a long time. She could clearly sense that even the servants of the Houfu had lost their patience and respect for her. She had fallen from the clouds into a muddy swamp, where foul sludge forced its way through her mouth and nose into her throat and nasal passages. She wanted to vomit, but there was nowhere to do so. Her chest felt stuffed, suffocating, reeking.
She was about to be drowned.
And in this state between life and death, a sudden, inexplicable hatred surged from the depths of her heart.
Why?
It was clearly Zhou Yuanting who had harmed her son! And Qin Chanyue was undoubtedly behind the scheme! Their mother and son, with their weak foundations, had been wronged like this, yet they were even being exploited to the last drop!
And then there was that Aunt Xia, that little vixen, daring to climb over her head to seduce the Marquis. If it weren’t for Aunt Xia’s interference, stealing Zhou Ziheng’s affection, she would never have ended up in this situation.
Why could those who committed evil deeds remain high and mighty, even securing the position of Shizi, while she and her pitiful son were to be sent off to the estate?
The pent-up resentment and the rotting sludge in her chest began to ferment, giving rise to dark tendrils that gradually wove a vengeful thought in her heart.
Her son no longer wanted to live, and neither did she, but she couldn’t just die so easily.
If someone slapped her, would she just die silently from the blow? That wouldn’t do. She had to fight back with all her might, to return the slap.
Since her son had ended up like this, she would make Qin Chanyue’s son suffer the same fate. She would make Qin Chanyue see clearly that she and her son were not to be bullied!
At worst… at worst, she would just die. After all, living like this was worse than death. At least she would drag someone down with her—that wouldn’t be a loss.
Concubine Fang, who had been sitting on the ground, seemed to have thought of something, as she let out a couple of dazed laughs. Slowly, she rose from the ground and made her way step by step into the side chamber.
She returned to her son’s side chamber and drove out all the maidservants attending inside.
The maidservants stood far outside the room, unable to hear what the mother and son said within. However, from that day onward, the third young master actually stopped trying to end his life and began taking medicine and eating again!
Concubine Fang also ceased lashing out at anyone she encountered. Her temperament seemed to have improved significantly, and she even began speaking softly and gently to others.
At the same time, the third young master hired skilled craftsmen to make a wheelchair for himself.
In Dachen, there were those skilled in craftsmanship, capable of carving various mechanisms, and naturally, there were also those who specialized in making wheelchairs for people with waist or leg injuries who struggled to stand.
It was said that these wheelchairs were extremely agile and convenient, allowing the disabled to control their direction with just their hands, making them appear less pitiful.
Now that the third young master was actively seeking such a thing, it meant he had accepted his disability. In the future, it seemed he would no longer seek death—this was truly a great relief!
While Hongfeng Courtyard was searching for skilled craftsmen to make the wheelchair, a minor incident occurred not far away in Jianming Courtyard.
—
The summer heat was intense. In Jianming Courtyard, Zhou Chiye waited for who knows how long, but his mother did not come.
He was already severely wounded and bleeding, and with his mother not coming, he gradually developed a high fever, his limbs slowly losing strength until he slumped against the door like limp noodles and collapsed.
By the time the maid came to deliver food and discovered him, it was already too late.
The doctor urgently summoned hurriedly examined Zhou Chiye and said, “This is Metal Wound Convulsions. It’s serious—he needs immediate treatment.”
Metal Wound Convulsions occur when a person is injured by a metal weapon, leading to high fever, muscle spasms, uncontrollable trembling, and loss of consciousness. In the worst cases, one might even burn to death from the fever.
With his stubborn temperament, Zhou Chiye had gritted his teeth and endured until now, pushing himself to this dire state.
The doctor moved the unconscious, feverish Zhou Chiye to the bed, hastily treated the wound, and applied medicine and acupuncture.
While the doctor was busy with these tasks, Zhou Chiye groggily awoke. In his half-conscious state, he grabbed the doctor’s hand and asked, “Where is my mother?”
The doctor shook his head and replied, “In response to the Second Young Master, Madam has not come.”
Zhou Chiye’s vision darkened.
He collapsed back onto the bed, feeling the weakness of his own body, and suddenly felt an overwhelming resentment toward his mother.
Didn’t his mother love him anymore? He was so severely injured, he was dying! Yet his mother still refused to come see him. Was it because he was disobedient, because he refused to always comply with his father, because he was with Bai Yuning—did his mother prefer to let him die?
Was being an obedient child more important than his very life?
Just because he was disobedient and didn’t act according to their wishes, did he deserve to die?
Yes, he had done wrong, but even if he had made mistakes, shouldn’t his mother have been more forgiving?
His mother had even forgiven Eldest Brother for attempting to violate Bai Yuning—ordinarily, such a serious matter, given her temperament, would have surely resulted in Eldest Brother having both his legs broken! But when it came to Bai Yuning, his mother had simply brushed it aside lightly!
Why could Eldest Brother’s mistakes be lightly dismissed, but not his?
In that moment, Zhou Chiye felt a surge of hatred toward the entire Houfu.
If possible, he would rather not be the Second Young Master of the Houfu.
He might as well be dead!
Amid such resentment, Zhou Chiye once again burned with fever until he lost consciousness.
After he fainted from the fever, the doctor carefully examined Zhou Chiye’s wound, and his heart immediately sank to the depths.
The Second Young Master’s right arm was too severely injured, and too much time had been lost. The tendons and meridians were gravely damaged. In the future, it would become weak and useless—not only would he be unable to wield a sword, but he wouldn’t even be able to hold a brush or lift a cup. This hand would gradually atrophy, becoming a useless limb.
After diagnosing the Second Young Master, the Houfu’s doctor cautiously reported the news to Shangyue Garden.
The Marquis focused most of his attention on court affairs; matters concerning the two young masters were typically left to Shangyue Garden to handle. However, now that the Second Young Master’s arm was beyond saving, if this news reached Madam, she would likely be furious.
Yet it couldn’t be concealed either, so the doctor nervously sent the message to Shangyue Garden.
Unexpectedly, for such a significant matter, Shangyue Garden showed no reaction at all. It was said the Marquise merely responded indifferently and that was it. She didn’t even mention anything about “punishment” or ask more than a couple of questions, simply telling him: do what needs to be done.
It seemed as though, if it couldn’t be cured, then so be it.
As if the Second Young Master’s hand being crippled didn’t matter to the Marquise at all.
The doctor didn’t understand, but since the master showed no concern, those below dared not ask further. They quietly left Jianming Courtyard.
During this period, the atmosphere in both Hongfeng Courtyard and Jianming Courtyard was strangely tense, while only Shuhai Courtyard held a hidden sense of joy.
Because their Eldest Young Master, Zhou Yuanting, was soon to be officially appointed as the Shizi!
Although he had always been called “Shizi” before, as long as the title wasn’t officially confirmed, people’s hearts remained unsettled—who knew what changes might occur in between? Just look, not long ago, hadn’t the position almost been given to Zhou Wenshan?
Fortunately, after much back and forth, the position ultimately landed on Zhou Yuanting’s head.
Once Zhou Yuanting truly became the Shizi, it would be easier to request his ennoblement as Marquis in the future. At that time, Zhou Yuanting would become the new master of this Houfu.
Consequently, the maids and servants in Shuhai Courtyard all became tense with anticipation—their master advancing a step further meant glory for them as servants as well. Even Zhou Yuanting’s personal attendants would rise along with him.
Working for the future Marquis meant countless opportunities for prosperity ahead!
Thus, in recent days, Shuhai Courtyard had been enveloped in an atmosphere of tension and expectation.
And Zhou Ziheng did not disappoint the expectations of everyone in Shuhai Courtyard. On the second day after receiving Qin Chanyue’s urging, Zhou Ziheng made all the preparations and went to court in person to request the ennoblement for Zhou Yuanting.
The process of requesting a Juewei was straightforward—it typically followed the principles of primogeniture and legitimacy, both of which Zhou Yuanting fully met. Moreover, Zhou Yuanting was well-read in poetry and literature, destined to pass the imperial examinations and serve as an official in the court, bringing no disgrace to the Houfu’s reputation. Thus, the Emperor’s approval was swiftly granted, with orders given to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works to handle the matter.
Matters concerning Dukes, Marquises, and Earls, as well as the succession petitions of their descendants, all passed through the hands of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works. However, the Shizi was not directly inheriting the Juewei but merely seeking the request for ennoblement, so the process was less complicated.
Only after Zhou Ziheng’s death would the two ministries need to intervene and verify the succession of the Marquisate. For now, it was merely a formal procedure to inform the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works that the position belonged to Zhou Yuanting, ensuring proper records for future inheritance.
Once this news was confirmed, the first to grow excited was Zhou Yuanting.
He spent the entire night in Shuhai Courtyard unable to sleep, pacing restlessly in the courtyard.
As the waning moon passed over the mountain lodge late at night, the cool breeze from the north window brushed his sleeping quarters. Lying down, he listened to the sparse rain tapping on the parasol trees; rising, he wandered alone through the central courtyard. Several times he lifted his head to gaze at the moon, feeling as though the entire world lay within his grasp, certain that he would achieve great things in the future.
In this world, who could still be his rival?
In the future, once he became the Marquis and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, their Zhongyi Hou Mansion would undoubtedly rise to even greater heights.
His journey here had been far from easy, but looking back, it seemed like nothing more than a bit of hardship.
After circling the courtyard several times under the night sky, Shiziye finally stopped in the pavilion to gaze at the water channel in his courtyard.
Their Houfu had Lotus Lake, renowned for its beauty, from which flowing water was channeled to connect all the courtyards of the mansion. Each courtyard had its own water channel, flanked by a long pavilion or rockery for admiring the lake scenery.
He quietly observed the water channel in his courtyard.
As it carried flowing water, fish were often present. Plump koi swam leisurely and contentedly through the channel, their scales shimmering under the clear, cold moonlight, like the moon itself dissolving in the water.
Koi, oh koi, will there come a day when you, too, leap over the dragon gate, just as I have, to become a dragon king?
As Zhou Yuanting admired this beautiful scene, half of his heart swelled with pride, while the other half turned inward in self-reflection.
He pondered the events of recent times.
He thought, it was his mistake. He had been seduced by that woman Bai Yuning and had committed many errors. Fortunately, he had awakened early, and there was still a path back.
Compared to Bai Yuning, who was fickle and would spread her legs for any man, Liu Yandai, chosen by his mother, was truly a good young lady. Liu Yandai was obedient and submissive. Although she could be a bit foolish at times, she made up for it with her honesty and would never betray him. Moreover, she had the backing of an uncle from the Qin Family Army. He had truly been blind before, rejecting Liu Yandai and instead clinging to Bai Yuning, only to become a laughingstock.
When he thought back to the graceful figure Liu Yandai had struck standing before the Prince’s mansion that day, Zhou Yuanting felt a growing itch in his heart.
If he had known earlier how beautiful Liu Yandai was, he would have cherished her to the bone long ago.
From now on, he ought to treat Liu Yandai even better.
With such thoughts in mind, Zhou Yuanting continued to wander aimlessly around Shuhai Courtyard. As he strolled, he even summoned two trusted aides to inquire about the affairs in the neighboring courtyards.
Within the Houfu, there were three courtyards, each housing a young master, and each harbored some resentment toward the others. Hearing that one of them was faring poorly brought joy to the other two.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuanting’s servant recounted the situations in the other two courtyards.
It was said that the one in Jianming Courtyard had injured his hand and was still running a high fever. Because he had displeased the Marquis and Madam, no one had visited him, and only two maids were attending to him. It was estimated that he would be half-crippled from now on.
As for the one in Hongfeng Courtyard, he had already commissioned a wheelchair and was said to be able to move around on it by himself. Although it seemed he had given up on seeking death, he was still a useless cripple and posed no threat.
Hearing this, Zhou Yuanting felt pleased and finally returned to his side chamber, satisfied and ready to rest.
——
As the news of Zhou Yuanting’s petition to be named Shizi settled, the Houfu also began to bustle with activity.
According to customary practice, once the noble title was decided, a banquet should be held to entertain guests from all around. Since ancient times, the preparations for such banquets had always been the responsibility of women, so within the Houfu, the arrangements for feasts had always been handled by Qin Chanyue, with no one else allowed to interfere.
Logically speaking, the banquet to celebrate Zhou Yuanting’s petition to become Shizi shouldn’t be overly extravagant. After all, he wasn’t the Marquis yet, and the more precarious the situation, the more cautious one should be. In her previous life, Qin Chanyue had only invited a few close relatives, avoiding any grand spectacle.
But in this life—
Qin Chanyue deliberately set aside an hour to sift through the circle of noblewomen in Chang’an, carefully selecting a few useful individuals and inviting several others to accompany them. In one go, she sent out all the invitations.
Since she was going to do it, she might as well go all out.
——
The preparations for the banquet at Zhongyi Hou Mansion were exceptionally grand. Days in advance, the finest banquet hall in Chang’an was reserved, and the invited guests were all either wealthy or noble.
Outsiders who saw this believed that Qin Chanyue was doing this to enhance Zhou Yuanting’s reputation and elevate his status.
After all, the grander the banquet for Zhou Yuanting, the more glory it brought to him as the master. Qin Chanyue, as his mother, despite her fiery temper and impatience, genuinely had this child’s best interests at heart.
——
The banquet was scheduled for seven days later, carefully chosen to fall on an auspicious day.
It was late August.
After setting the date, Qin Chanyue felt genuinely relaxed for a few days. Having completed the tasks in her plan, she even found time to visit the Prince’s mansion to see her adoptive brother. However, her adoptive brother refused to see her.
It was said that the Gu physician brought from the common folk was to treat the adoptive brother, and this treatment would last for forty-nine consecutive days. During this period, no one was allowed to disturb them; otherwise, the Gu physician would not be responsible for the adoptive brother’s life or death.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chanyue dared not enter. She could only grab Deputy General Qian and ask, “That Gu physician… can he really cure my adoptive brother?”
She asked cautiously, her voice lowered by half a tone, afraid that the Gu physician might overhear her gossiping behind his back.
Deputy General Qian hung his head at the time, not even daring to look Qin Chanyue in the face.
What Gu physician? Ever since Zhennan Wang had shared Qin Chanyue’s bed, he could no longer bear to see her. Just hearing that Qin Chanyue had arrived made him tremble in bed. If Qin Chanyue were to come again to touch or look at him on the bed, he would surely be unable to keep up the act. Thus, he could only use the excuse of “the Gu physician treating the illness” to send Qin Chanyue away.
Now that Qin Chanyue had asked, Deputy General Qian could only brace himself and reply, “He certainly can. This Gu physician is quite renowned, Madam need not worry.”
Reassured by Deputy General Qian’s words, Qin Chanyue finally relaxed and no longer insisted on seeing her elder brother. She then left the Prince’s mansion.
At most, she could come back to see him after forty-nine days.
As Qin Chanyue left, she did not look at the scenery within the Prince’s mansion, nor did she know that a figure stood by the window, gazing through the trees and eaves, fixated on her, silently watching her depart.
Chu Heng had watched her back like this many times before. Coming and going was ordinary, like the spring breeze sweeping away the lingering snow—he should have grown accustomed to it.
But today, Chu Heng found it difficult to adjust.
He returned despondently to the side chamber, clutching the small garment she had left him, continuing to stubbornly hold his ground in this city.
The tall man lay on the bed, his breathing occasionally growing abruptly rapid, his back arching restlessly. His hand reached out into the empty air, as if trying to grasp soft mutton-fat jade.
But Qin Chanyue was not here. He could grasp nothing. In the end, his hand fell upon the small garment, his rough fingers rubbing the smooth silk fabric, producing a faint rustling sound.
A man who had tasted desire found it harder to endure than before. Every movement carried a thick, feverish intensity, silently spreading throughout the side chamber.
Of this, Qin Chanyue remained completely unaware.
—
Qin Chanyue left but did not take Liu Yandai back with her, instead leaving her in the Prince’s mansion. Firstly, because Liu Yandai felt more at ease staying here. She could not handle the people in the Houfu—not to mention Concubine Fang, she couldn’t even figure out an Aunt Xia.
Secondly, it was because Zhou Yuanting harbored some unsavory intentions toward Liu Yandai.
Qin Chanyue could somewhat guess Zhou Yuanting’s thoughts. After what happened with Bai Yuning, he had likely grown indifferent to matters of the heart, no longer naively pursuing love but instead seeking “utility.” Thus, he considered Liu Yandai a suitable and good woman—sleeping with her wouldn’t be a loss, and keeping her around would bring him many benefits.
Therefore, Qin Chanyue did not want Liu Yandai to get involved with Zhou Yuantian again. That would only lead to Liu Yandai being taken advantage of. Liu Yandai, raised by her adoptive brother into such a naive state, did not know how to refuse others. Anyone could bully her, foolish as she was. But Qin Chanyue could not bear to see her suffer, so she left her in the Prince’s mansion.
Liu Yandai had no idea what her mother-in-law was up to. All she knew was that her uncle was undergoing treatment these past few days, her mother-in-law was busy, and she was left alone in the Prince’s mansion to amuse herself.
This delighted her to no end.
All the delicious treats in the Prince’s mansion were hers. Every day, she wandered around the mansion holding various pastries, occasionally playing shuttlecock by herself. With no one to supervise her, she felt utterly relaxed and carefree.
But she was unaware that the Prince’s mansion often received guests.
This guest was none other than the Crown Prince.
During this period, the Crown Prince had been secretly meeting with Zhennan Wang. To avoid being noticed by others, each meeting had to be conducted discreetly. Thus, the Crown Prince’s visits were covert, almost unknown to anyone, slipping by unnoticed in the shadows.
Coincidentally, every time the Crown Prince passed through, he would instinctively take the long corridor and catch sight of Liu Yandai.
Sometimes, Liu Yandai would lean against the corridor eaves, eating pastries. The Crown Prince would frown, thinking, “Gluttonous and gossipy.”
Other times, she would be playing shuttlecock. The Crown Prince would frown again, thinking, “Indulging in pleasure.”
Occasionally, Liu Yandai would be outside reading a book—the Crown Prince initially thought she was diligent and studious, his furrowed brow relaxing slightly. But when he glanced over, the book’s cover bore bold characters: The Dashing Scholar and the Charming Widow.
What nonsense! With eight male companions already, she still reads such things daily!
The Crown Prince’s brow nearly twisted into a lock!
What kind of vulgar folk literature was this? Filled with obscenity, utterly absurd! Absurd!
The Crown Prince stormed off in a huff.
As for Yandai—Yandai remained blissfully unaware, giggling over her storybook.
Time flew, days grew longer, nights shorter. Birds came and went in the Prince’s mansion, the sun rose and set over the eaves, gradually approaching the day of the Houfu banquet.
Three days in advance, Qin Chanyue sent invitations to all the guests. One day before, she sent a second round of invitations. An hour before the banquet began, she sent a third round. Three invitations were extended as a sign of respect.
Soon, the day of the Zhongyi Hou Mansion banquet arrived.
—
With the Houfu hosting a banquet, Liu Yandai, as the daughter-in-law, naturally had to return. Early in the morning, Nanny Li meticulously bathed and dressed Liu Yandai, then carefully timed her arrival at the Houfu.
Today was a grand banquet, and Liu Yandai was the Shizi Furen. Nanny Li was determined not to let her be overshadowed by anyone else!
When she returned to the Houfu, it was exactly an hour before the banquet began.
At this time, the guests had not yet arrived, but everything in the Houfu was already prepared.
For a summer banquet, the feast was held in the garden, beside the lake. Guests could sit by the lake, admire the flowers, sip tea, and listen to music—truly delightful. Today’s Houfu banquet was a “Flower Appreciation Banquet.”
When Liu Yandai returned, Qin Chanyue was busy in the Houfu. Zhou Yuanting volunteered to greet Liu Yandai at the mansion gate.
Before seeing Liu Yandai, he felt a flicker of anticipation. But when he finally laid eyes on her, he was stunned on the spot.
The woman stepping down from the carriage wore a pale pink silk gauze bustier long skirt, paired with a light green snow-silk long gown, as if spring had suddenly startled the peach branches.
To add to the effect, a small peach branch was tucked into her hair. Amidst the interplay of pink hues, her round face glowed with the freshness of spring—her lips pink, her complexion tender. Even more striking was her full, fair bosom, so eye-catching it left one parched at a mere glance.
Such beauty—it was none other than Liu Yandai.
Zhou Yuanting was utterly captivated, instinctively reaching out to assist her. However, Liu Yandai dared not accept his help and hurriedly stepped down from the carriage herself, curtsying to Zhou Yuanting as she said, “Greetings, husband.”
That single word “husband” nearly sent Zhou Yuanting’s soul flying away, taking him a long moment to regain his composure.
He instinctively took Liu Yandai’s arm with his own hand, speaking intimately, “Between husband and wife, there is no need for such formalities.”
His hand was large and warm, and when it touched Liu Yandai’s arm, it brought with it a sticky, nauseating sensation that made her shudder—she hated this unfamiliar touch, so she instinctively flinched.
But Zhou Yuanting was already leading her toward the Houfu.
Liu Yandai lacked the courage to break free and could only follow his lead. As they walked, they suddenly heard the arrogant sound of horse hooves behind them.
Zhou Yuanting frowned and turned around—who dared to gallop so recklessly at the entrance of the Houfu?
As he turned, he saw a carriage drawn by five large horses side by side approaching from the distance. The carriage slowly stopped at the entrance of the Houfu, and from it emerged a tall man dressed in a dark blue robe embroidered with bright yellow cloud patterns.
The moment this man appeared, Zhou Yuanting gasped in surprise and hurriedly bowed in greeting. Liu Yandai, pulled along by him, also bowed, only managing to catch a glimpse of a pair of boots that looked somewhat familiar.
Hmm, where had she seen them before?
The confused daughter-in-law had completely forgotten that she had once bumped into this person.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanting, with a mix of flattery and excitement, called out, “Your subject pays respects to the Crown Prince.”
Zhou Yuanting knew that the invitations sent out by the Houfu did not include one for the Crown Prince. In other words, this occasion was not significant enough to warrant inviting the Crown Prince, yet unexpectedly, His Highness had come of his own accord.
The Crown Prince had arrived uninvited!
What did this mean? It meant the Crown Prince held him in high regard! Although both the Zhongyi Marquis and the Qin Mansion were part of the Crown Prince’s faction, the Crown Prince rarely showed such favor to either side. Today, with the Crown Prince’s personal attendance, Zhou Yuanting felt immensely honored.
The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, the future Emperor. To gain his favor was to ascend straight to the clouds!
Thus, Zhou Yuanting’s voice trembled with excitement. After paying his respects, he pulled Liu Yandai beside him and said, “This is my wife, Liu Yandai.”
Liu Yandai, on the other hand, had not yet considered all this. When she heard the words “Crown Prince,” she merely thought about this person—the Crown Prince?
Liu Yandai perked up her ears slightly, recalling what she had heard.
Crown Prince Chen Feng, aged twenty-two, had no Crown Princess and was not favored by the Emperor.
As her thoughts reached this point, she felt a scorching gaze fall upon her, carrying a hint of sharpness. Still not daring to look up, she heard the Crown Prince’s calm voice say, “The Shizi and Shizi Furen seem to share a harmonious bond—rise, there is no need for such formalities.”
When Liu Yandai stood up, she mustered the courage to glance at the Crown Prince.
His features were sharp and cold, his expression calm, like an unyielding mountain—hmm, somewhat reminiscent of Shufu.
As for that gaze… the little scatterbrain shook her head, thinking it must have been an illusion. The Crown Prince likely did not know her.
As they spoke, the group entered the Houfu.
Today, the banquet was about to begin.